FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2008 Earth Day Award Nominations Sought

It’s time for the 16th annual Earth Day Awards sponsored by the Kitsap County Solid Waste Division. The awards recognize residents, organizations, and businesses for their innovative environmental programs or projects. 

Awards are presented in the following categories:

Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability

Recognizes an individual, organization, or business that exemplifies the concept of sustainability: the process of keeping the earth livable by preserving resources for future generations. This can include elements of waste reduction and recycling, and/or the use of resource and energy-efficient products.

Outstanding Achievement in Environmental Education

Recognizes an individual or organization integrating the concepts of waste reduction, recycling, and/or sustainability into basic curriculum in a public or private school setting, youth organization, or in a program educating the Kitsap County community.

Clean Kitsap Award

Recognizes an individual, team, or organization whose exceptional commitment has prevented or reduced litter and/or illegal dumping, or whose efforts have significantly helped clean up Kitsap County.

Green Building

Recognizes a construction project or company which has made exemplary use of environmentally friendly techniques such as:

• Protecting natural resources through project design and management

• Reducing waste in construction methods

• Jobsite recycling

• Using resource-efficient construction materials

• Promoting energy efficiency by building beyond the energy code requirements

• Reducing the amount of hazardous waste generated from the project

Best Hazardous Waste Reduction Program

Recognizes an individual, business, or organization whose pollution prevention program has:

• Made use of safer alternatives to hazardous products in their home or facility by changing practices or processes

• Created a safer work environment by changing handling/storage methods and training employees

• Shared information and successes with customers, community, and industry

• Changed processes to create less hazardous waste

Environmental Leadership (Youth and Adult Categories)

Recognizes two individuals (youth and adult) exemplifying leadership qualities in programs or projects emphasizing sustainability, waste reduction, recycling, hazardous waste management, or green building. Besides making a difference with their choices, they lead the way for others and strive to make others aware of environmental issues.

Submissions must be received by end of business on February 29, 2008. For information on how to nominate, follow the link below. No Internet access? Call The Open Line at 360-337-5777 for a copy of the information.

Important Links:
http://www.kitsapgov.com/sw/earthday.htm

Kitsap County Public Works
The Open Line
(360) 337-5777 or (800) 825-4940
openline@co.kitsap.wa.us